Large parts of South Africa are set to experience thunderstorms this weekend as spring weather patterns intensify across the country.
The South African Weather Service (SAWS) has warned residents in Gauteng, North West, Limpopo, and Mpumalanga to prepare for wet and windy conditions.
Meteorologist Celeste Fourie said the Northwest will be the first to experience afternoon showers and thunderstorms.
“We’re expecting the majority of the thunderstorms to be over the North West province and then the southern and central parts of Gauteng,” she explained.
The same pattern is expected on Saturday afternoon, bringing scattered showers across most of the highveld.
Thunderstorms Extend to Other Provinces
The weather service also expects the southern part of Limpopo and much of Mpumalanga to experience similar weather conditions. Fourie said the two provinces could see “scattered showers and thunderstorms in the afternoon” through Monday, with brief breaks between systems.
While the weekend will be dominated by stormy conditions, Fourie anticipates a temporary reprieve midweek.
“We expect a break in thunderstorms by Wednesday, with only a slight chance of storms in the North West province,” she added.
Spring Transition Brings Changeable Conditions
Fourie reminded residents that the current weather is typical for this time of year.
“It’s spring, and we’re in the transition between winter and summer. We’re getting the summer weather patterns, but we don’t have those nice warm temperatures every single day,” she said.
Windy conditions and gradually rising temperatures are expected to follow the thunderstorms, ushering in more typical late-October weather across much of the country.
